Warts Treatment in Nairobi, Kenya
Genital warts, also known as venereal warts or condylomata acuminata, are one of the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases.
As the name suggests, genital warts affect the moist tissues of the genital area. They may look like small, flesh-colored bumps or have a cauliflower-like appearance. Genital warts may be very small, or they may multiply into large clusters.
There are some common warts myths that people believe that are true. Following are the symptoms of warts & how to prevent & diagnosis your warts, all you need to know about Warts Treatment::
Symptoms of warts
In women, genital warts can grow on the vulva, the walls of the vagina, the area between the external genitals and the anus, and the cervix. In men, they may occur on the tip or shaft of the penis, the scrotum or the anus. Genital warts can also develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sexual contact with an infected person.
Some of the symptoms are:
- Small, flesh-colored or gray swellings in your genital area
- Several warts close together that take on a cauliflower shape
- Itching or discomfort in your genital area
- Bleeding with intercourse
Often, genital warts cause no symptoms. They may be so small and flat that they can't be seen with the naked eye. Sometimes, however, genital warts may multiply into large clusters.
Pregnancy may sometimes trigger a dormant infection, or an active infection may worsen during pregnancy.
When to see a doctor
At Avane Clinic, Harvard trained dermatologist Dr. Pranav Pancholi take care of your warts treatment. He has more than 10 years of experienced in the medical dermatology field. Below is the couple of reasons when you need to see a doctor or skin care specialist:
- See a doctor if you've developed bumps or warts in your genital area.
- See a doctor ifYour sexual partner has developed genital warts or has been diagnosed with them
Causes & Complication
Like warts that appear on other areas of your skin, genital warts are caused by a virus — HPV — that infects the top layers of your skin. There are more than 100 different types of HPV, but only a few can cause genital warts. These strains of the virus are highly contagious and spread through sexual contact with an infected person.
About two-thirds of people who have sexual contact with someone who has genital warts develop the condition — usually within three months of contact, but in some cases not for years.
Complications:
Cancer:
Cervical cancer has been closely linked with HPV infection. Certain types of HPV also are associated with cancer of the vulva, cancer of the anus and cancer of the penis. Human papillomavirus infection doesn't always lead to cancer, but it's still important for women, particularly if you've been infected with certain higher risk types of HPV, to have regular Pap tests.
Problems during pregnancy:
Genital warts may cause problems during pregnancy. Warts could enlarge, making it difficult to urinate. Warts on the vaginal wall may reduce the ability of vaginal tissues to stretch during childbirth. Rarely, a baby born to a mother with genital warts may develop warts in his or her throat. The baby may need surgery to prevent airway obstruction.
Tests and Diagnosis:
Detecting genital warts
Because it's often difficult to detect genital warts, your dermatologist may apply an acetic acid solution to your genitals to whiten any warts. Then, he or she may view them through a special microscope called a colposcope.
The importance of Pap tests
For women, it's important to have regular pelvic exams and Pap tests, which can help detect vaginal and cervical changes caused by genital warts or the early signs of cervical cancer — a possible complication of HPV infection.
Have a Pap test every other year, starting when you're 21. You can reduce the frequency of your Pap tests to once every three years if you're older than 30 and you've had three normal tests in a row. Talk with your doctor about the right screening schedule for you.
If you've had genital warts, you may need more frequent Pap tests, depending on the severity of your condition.
Medication & Prevention
Treatments and Drugs:
Up to 30 percent of genital warts go away without treatment. If your warts aren't causing discomfort, you may not need treatment. However, if your symptoms include itching, burning and pain or if visible warts are causing emotional distress, your skin care doctor can help you clear an outbreak with medications or surgical treatments. The underlying virus is never completely eliminated, however, and genital warts may reappear even after treatment.
Medications
Genital warts treatments that can be applied directly to your skin include:
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA):
This chemical treatment burns off genital warts. TCA must always be applied by a experienced dermatologist.
Don't try to treat genital warts with over-the-counter medications. These medications aren't intended for use in the moist tissues of the genital area. Using over-the-counter medications for this purpose can cause even more pain and irritation.
Surgery:
You may need surgery to remove larger warts, warts that don't respond to medications, or — if you're pregnant — warts that your baby may be exposed to during delivery.
Surgical options that we offer at avane clinic Nairobi include:
Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy): Freezing works by causing a blister to form around your wart. As your skin heals, the lesions slough off, allowing new skin to appear. You may need repeated cryotherapy treatments at best dermatology clinic.
Electrocautery: This procedure uses an electrical current to burn off warts.
Surgical excision: Your skin care specialist may use special tools to cut off warts. You'll need local anesthesia for this treatment.
Skin Laser treatments: This approach, which uses an intense beam of light, can be expensive and is usually reserved for very extensive and tough-to-treat warts.